Telmisartan+ramipril
About Telmisartan+ramipril
Telmisartan+ramipril belongs to a group of medications called ‘antihypertensives’ used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). High blood pressure is a chronic (long-term) condition in which blood pressure is elevated persistently in higher than normal levels. If left untreated, this condition can increase the risk of heart-related diseases like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and other complications.
Telmisartan+ramipril contains Telmisartan and Ramipril. Telmisartan is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB). Angiotensin narrows the blood vessels increasing the blood pressure, therefore blocking angiotensin can result in the widening of the narrowed blood vessels. Ramipril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and works by lowering the body’s production of substances (angiotensin) that could increase blood pressure. Together, Telmisartan+ramipril allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels.
Take Telmisartan+ramipril exactly as prescribed. Telmisartan+ramipril may cause side effects such as sinus pain and congestion, back pain, dizziness, hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), especially when you stand or sit up quickly, dry cough, weakness, stomach pain, diarrhea, indigestion, feeling or being sick, skin rash, chest pain, muscle cramps and hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels in the blood). Inform your doctor immediately, if any of these side effects persist or get worse.
It is not recommended to take Telmisartan+ramipril if you are allergic to any contents of it. Before taking Telmisartan+ramipril, inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney or heart problems, angioedema (serious allergic reaction), renal artery stenosis (a kidney problem in which blood supply to the kidney is reduced), severe hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), atherosclerosis (obstruction of blood flow due to presence of clots) and diabetic kidney disease. It is also not recommended for use in children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. The dose may have to be adjusted in elderly people. It is not advised to consume alcohol as it can increase dizziness. Telmisartan+ramipril may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Uses of Telmisartan+ramipril
Medicinal Benefits
Telmisartan+ramipril is used in the treatment of hypertension and essential hypertension (that doesn't have an identifiable cause). It works by lowering the body’s production of substances that could increase blood pressure and also widens narrowed blood vessels. It allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels. It can reduce the risk of heart failure, stroke and delay worsening of kidney problems. It can also be given as a treatment for chronic heart failure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Telmisartan+ramipril
- Back pain
- Sinus pain and congestion
- Dizziness
- Hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), especially when you stand or sit up quickly
- Dry cough
- Weakness
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Feeling or being sick
- Skin rash
- Chest pain
- Muscle cramps
- Hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels in the blood)
Drug Warnings
Telmisartan+ramipril may cause hypotension (low blood pressure) and result in dizziness or fainting. The risk is high in patients who are taking water pills, are on a low-sodium diet, undergoing dialysis treatment, have heart problems and suffering from severe vomiting and diarrhea. Regularly check your blood pressure levels to avoid any risk. Telmisartan+ramipril may affect kidney function and alter kidney test results. So, it should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. If you notice swelling in the hands, feet or ankles, inform your doctor immediately as it can be a sign of kidney problems. Telmisartan+ramipril should also be used with caution in patients who are taking treatment for allergy, have hyperkalemia (high potassium levels), have adrenal gland problems and have systemic lupus erythematosus (a skin disease).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Telmisartan+ramipril may interact with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen and indomethacin), pain killer(aspirin), medicines used for the treatment of low blood pressure, shock, cardiac failure or allergies (ephedrine, noradrenaline), medicine used to treat long-term heart failure (sacubitril,valsartan), medicine that suppress immune system (ciclosporin, sirolimus and everolimus), water pill (furosemide), medicines which can increase the amount of potassium in your blood (spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride, trimethoprim and trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole), blood thinner (heparin), steroid medicine (prednisolone), medicine to treat gout (allopurinol), medicine to treat heart rhythm problems (procainamide), antibacterial (co-trimoxazole), medicine used to treat cancer (temsirolimus), antipsychotics, medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes (vildagliptin and insulin), medicine used to treat diarrhea (racecadotril), medicine to treat high blood pressure (aliskiren), medicine used to treat heart diseases (digoxin) antidepressant (lithium).
Drug-Food Interactions: Telmisartan+ramipril may interact with alcohol and increase dizziness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Telmisartan+ramipril should not be used in patients with angioedema (serious allergic reaction), renal artery stenosis (a kidney problem in which blood supply to the kidney is reduced), diabetic kidney disease and severe hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure). It should be used with caution in patients with liver, kidney or heart diseases.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not advised to consume alcohol while taking Telmisartan+ramipril as it can increase dizziness.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Telmisartan+ramipril while you are pregnant (especially during the second and third trimesters) as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Consult your doctor before using Telmisartan+ramipril, if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Telmisartan+ramipril while you are breastfeeding as it may cause harmful effects on the nursing baby, consult your doctor before using Telmisartan+ramipril if you are a breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionTelmisartan+ramipril may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionTelmisartan+ramipril should be given with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTelmisartan+ramipril should be given with caution in patients with a history of kidney diseases. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeTelmisartan+ramipril is not recommended for use in children as the efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a body mass index (BMI) of 19.5-24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- Limit alcohol intake. One serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
- Quit smoking as it is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids containing food and drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Telmisartan+ramipril may cause acute renal failure (kidney dysfunction), so it is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney damage, atherosclerosis (obstruction of blood flow due to the presence of clots), and diabetes with end-organ damage (damage occurring in major organs such as heart, kidney, eyes, and brain).
- Inform your doctor before undergoing any surgery or dental procedure that you are taking Telmisartan+ramipril as it is recommended to stop this medicine one day before the procedures.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly while using Telmisartan+ramipril to make sure it is working properly.
- Your doctor may also monitor glucose levels, kidney function, and electrolyte levels at regular intervals during the treatment with Telmisartan+ramipril.
- You should not discontinue using Telmisartan+ramipril without consulting your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic (long-term) condition in which blood pressure is elevated persistently at higher than normal levels. It occurs when the blood’s force against the wall of blood vessels is too high. This condition can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when the blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes damage to the brain, kidneys and eyes. The risk of high blood pressure complications increases with the following: obesity, smoking, diabetes, alcohol intake, lack of physical inactivity, stress and kidney diseases.
FAQs
Telmisartan+ramipril is used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure).
Telmisartan+ramipril contains Telmisartan and Ramipril. Telmisartan acts by widening the narrowed blood vessels. Ramipril works by lowering the body’s production of substances that could increase blood pressure. Together, Telmisartan+ramipril can effectively reduce blood pressure and prevent complications associated with it.
Please inform your doctor before surgery or any dental procedures (that requires taking anesthesia) if you are taking Telmisartan+ramipril as it needs to be stopped. Telmisartan+ramipril might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with general anesthesia.
Telmisartan+ramipril is probably safe when used for hypertension in diabetic patients. However, in cases such as diabetes with end-organ damage (damage to the major organs such as heart, kidney, brain, and eyes), Telmisartan+ramipril is not recommended as it can result in kidney dysfunction.
Telmisartan+ramipril may cause side-effects such as sinus pain and congestion, back pain, dizziness, hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), especially when you stand or sit up quickly, dry cough, weakness, stomach pain, diarrhea, indigestion, feeling or being sick, skin rash, chest pain, muscle cramps and hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels in the blood). Inform your doctor immediately, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse.
Telmisartan+ramipril should not be taken along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen as it can lower the effect of Telmisartan+ramipril. In addition, if these medicines are used together frequently or for longer durations, it may affect kidney function. So, it is advised to consult your doctor before using medicine while taking Telmisartan+ramipril.
No, you should not stop taking Telmisartan+ramipril even if your blood pressure is under control. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so stopping Telmisartan+ramipril could worsen your condition. Therefore, complete the full course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
No, you should not take any other supplements for controlling blood pressure along with Telmisartan+ramipril without consulting your doctor to avoid possible interactions.
Nausea is a common side effect of Telmisartan+ramipril. To overcome this side effect eat smaller, more frequent meals. Avoid salty, spicy, fried, or fatty foods as these can increase nausea. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. However, if the nausea persists, please consult your doctor.
While taking Telmisartan+ramipril, you are recommended to monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and oxygen levels closely.
To avoid missing a dose, set an alarm, use medication reminders app like medsafe and mytherapy, use a pill organizer. Ask a family member or friend to remind you. Place sticky notes in visible places.